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Know Before You Go

Click on the photos below to read stories, guides and itineraries. The articles are free to read unless the publisher has a paywall.

Vietnam Coracle •

Genesis: Vietnam's Creation Myth

In the beginning, there was chaos. The realms – and everything that would later exist within them – were a knotted tangle of pre-elemental threads. The first entity to emerge from this primordial disarray was Ông Trời, the supreme deity, who set the sequence of creation in motion by pulling apart heaven and earth. By separating the universe into the physical and the ethereal, Ông Trời infused the universe with its most fundamental law: everything must exist within a system of cosmic balance. Vietnamese mythology is heavily influenced by Taoism, and this concept of duality is perhaps best understood through the lens of the Taoist yin-yang symbol, which has two equal but antithetical halves, each containing an element of its opposite.
SilverKris (Singapore Airlines) •

Aboard The Reunification Express

Perched by the bow-shaped bar, I nurse the last of my mocktail, a liquid rainbow of roselle, lemongrass, mint and passion fruit. The hushed lounge is an unapologetic manifestation of nostalgia for the early 20th century. Rattan blinds and creamy curtains ensconce secluded corners. Dried tropical flowers spring from earthenware vases. As if part of the furniture, two dapper Englishmen perch opposite – though they grumble over laptop screens, not newspapers.
Vietnam Tourism Board •

Making Sense of Vietnam's Ethnic Diversity

Vietnam is home to a vibrant collage of ethnic groups. There are 54 recognised ethnicities that filter into hundreds of subgroups. Wondering where to start? The best way to understand Vietnam’s ethnic makeup is through hands-on experiences. From mountain homestays to medicinal herbs, encounters with ethnic culture are a highlight of any trip to Vietnam. Here are five easy ways to get to know the Yao, Hmong, Tay, Bahnar, and Khmer ethnic groups.

The Yao (often spelt Dao or Dzao) have been in Vie
Vietnam Tourism Board •

Fantastic Coffees and Where to Find Them

Vietnamese coffee is the rocket fuel that keeps the country buzzing. You’ll find cafes on every street in every city, from trendy cafes molded by the creative class, to retro institutions that have evolved over decades, to pavement cafes draped around and across the cities. In each one you’ll be enveloped by nattering locals nursing their favourite brew.

Traditional Vietnamese coffee is made from Robusta beans, which have a strong, bitter taste. For decades, resourceful café owners have dreamt
Vietnam Tourism Board •

The Best Sport and Adventure Holidays in Vietnam

Magnificent mountains. Cavernous caves. Bewitching bays. Vietnam’s mind-boggling geography lends itself to an extraordinary collection of sport and adventure holidays. Swim from island to island, hike a circuit of remote villages, camp within the largest caves on the planet, weave your way on a bike through highlands and coastline. Here are four adventurous holiday ideas for your next trip to Vietnam.

It’s easy to think the highlands surrounding Sapa in Lao Cai were created for eye-popping hiki
Vietnam Tourism Board •

Vietnam's Best Outdoor Activities

Take a walk on the wild side in Vietnam, a country overflowing with outdoor adventures. Go kitesurfing off the rugged coastline, scale mountains for spectacular views, or burrow inside the world’s largest caves -- so much awaits you in Vietnam’s wonderful outdoors. Here’s the “what, where, and how” on seven must-try experiences across the country.

Did you know Vietnam is one of the world’s top caving destinations? Phong Nha is a rising adventure tourism destination and is home to the biggest ca